Introduction
- Launch Date: March 2025
- Price (India): ₹27,999 (8 GB/128 GB), ₹29,999 (12 GB/256 GB)
- Variants: 8 + 128 GB and 12 + 256 GB, with 4 GB virtual RAM extension
- Positioning: Upper-midrange in iQOO’s lineup—between Neo 6 & Neo 7 SE—targeted at gamers and performance seekers
TL;DR:
iQOO Neo 7 delivers flagship-level gaming and display performance, ultra-fast charging, and smooth user experience—if you can overlook bloat and average optics, it’s one of the best under ₹30K.
1. Unboxing & First Impressions
Box Contents:
- iQOO Neo 7 handset (pre-fitted screen protector)
- 120 W FlashCharge brick
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- Transparent TPU case
- SIM eject tool
- Quick start guide, warranty card
Box is clean, minimalistic, and content-rich; the 120 W charger stands out for a device this price. First-touch impressions are positive: substantial, well-balanced at ~200 g, and premium matte finish.
2. Design & Build Quality
Materials & Aesthetics:
- Back: Matte polycarbonate with subtle camera housing
- Frame: UI-textured plastic for better grip
- Colors: Racing Black, Diamond Glow, Dark Blue
- Dimensions: 161.5 × 74.8 × 8.4 mm; Weight: 200 g
Physical Features:
- Side-mounted power/fingerprint combo, volume rocker above
- USB-C port, stereo speakers (surround setup), mic at bottom; IR blaster on top
- No official IP rating, but splash resistance advertised
Strengths & Flaws:
- Excellent grip, low fingerprint visibility
- Stereo sound and IR are notable for this tier
- Plastic frame and back feel less premium than glass/metal
3. Display
| Spec | iQOO Neo 7 |
|---|---|
| Type | 6.78″ AMOLED |
| Resolution | FHD+ (2400×1080) |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz adaptive (60–120 Hz) |
| Touch Sampling | 720 Hz (ultra-responsive) |
| Brightness | 1,300 nits peak, 450 nits typical |
| HDR Certification | HDR10+ certified |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 |
The AMOLED panel is bright, color-accurate (100% DCI‑P3), and glaring-friendly. No noticeable PWM flicker. 120 Hz and 720 Hz touch sampling deliver ultra-responsive gaming and UI navigation. Bezels are minimal, status bar is well-utilized. Overall, it’s one of the best panels at this price.
4. Performance & Benchmarks
Chipset: Dimensity 8200 (4 nm)
- CPU: 4× Cortex-A78 @2.6 GHz + 4× Cortex-A55 @2.0 GHz
- GPU: Mali-G610 MC6
- Efficiency cores + big cores poised for performance + battery life
RAM/Storage:
- LPDDR5 RAM (8/12 GB)
- UFS 3.1 storage (128/256 GB)
- 4 GB additional virtual RAM
Benchmark Scores:
- AnTuTu v10: ~1.05 million
- Geekbench 6: ~1,450 (single), ~4,300 (multi)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: ~1,500
- CPU Throttle Test: 95% sustained performance after 15 min
Real-world Performance:
- Snappy app launches; UFS 3.1 speeds aid file-heavy tasks
- Multitasking with 20+ apps flows smoothly
- Extended web browsing and video playback show no heat issues
Conclusion: A powerhouse that beats most Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-U series phones, making it ideal for performance-hungry users.
5. Who Should Keep Reading?
If you’re into mobile gaming, binge-watching, content creation, or futureproof tech, Neo 7 is a prime candidate.
6. Gaming Experience
The iQOO Neo 7 positions itself as a gamer’s delight — and it doesn’t disappoint.
Games Tested & Settings:
| Game | Graphics | FPS Mode | Avg. FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGMI | HDR + Ultra | 60 fps | ~60 fps | No frame drops in 40-min sessions |
| COD Mobile | Very High | Max | ~60 fps | Smooth & stable gameplay |
| Genshin Impact | High | 60 fps | ~50–55 fps | Slight warming after 20 min |
| Asphalt 9 | High | N/A | ~60 fps | Vibrant visuals, no lag |
Thermal Performance:
- After 30 mins of Genshin: Surface temp ~41 °C (mild warming)
- Ultra Game Mode keeps heat zones controlled
- CPU Throttle rarely kicks in thanks to graphite cooling system
Gaming Features in Ultra Game Mode:
- 4D Game Vibration (feels realistic)
- Frame Interpolation (for smoothness)
- Voice Changer, Screen Recording, Call Blocking
- Monster Mode (pushes max performance)
Verdict: One of the best gaming experiences under ₹30K. Only the iQOO Neo 7 Pro tops it with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
7. Software & UI
ColorOS Variant: Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13
Key Features:
- Smart Sidebar
- One-handed mode
- Lock apps in RAM
- Customizable icons, fonts, and Always-On Display
- Game Space, RAM Booster, Monster Mode
Bloatware Status:
- Around 7–10 pre-installed apps: Facebook, Snapchat, Moj, etc.
- Most uninstallable, though a few (Hot Apps, Hot Games) persist
- Ads: Very minimal — occasional app suggestions
Update Policy:
- Major Android updates: Promised for 2 years (up to Android 15)
- Security patches: Quarterly for 3 years
Smooth, stable experience with regular animations and useful features
Minor bugs (rare keyboard lag, one-time app crash during multitask) observed in early batches
8. Camera System
Rear Camera Setup:
| Lens Type | Specs |
|---|---|
| Main | 64 MP f/1.8 with OIS |
| Macro | 2 MP (fixed focus) |
| Depth | 2 MP |
Front Camera:
- 16 MP, f/2.5, fixed focus
Photography Results:
Daylight:
- Great dynamic range and contrast
- Natural skin tones
- Edge detection in portraits = 8/10
Low Light/Night Mode:
- Dedicated Night Mode helps reduce noise
- OIS stabilizes minor hand shakes
- Low-light focusing is a bit slower
Macro:
- 2MP macro is mostly gimmicky
Video:
| Setting | Supported |
|---|---|
| 4K @ 60fps | No |
| 4K @ 30fps | Yes |
| 1080p @ 60fps | Yes |
| Stabilization | OIS + EIS |
| Audio Quality | Rich stereo capture |
Camera Verdict: Capable main sensor for casual use
No ultra-wide, weak macro
9. Battery Life & Charging
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh |
| Charger in box? | Yes — 120 W FlashCharge |
| 0–50% Charge Time | ~10 minutes |
| 0–100% Charge Time | ~25 minutes |
| Screen-on-time (SOT) | 6.5–7.5 hours (mixed use) |
Gaming & Streaming Endurance:
- COD Mobile (1 hr): ~14–16% drop
- YouTube HD (1 hr): ~8% drop
- Standby Drain: ~1% in 6 hours
Trickle charging kicks in at 80% to preserve battery health. Battery temperature stayed under 38 °C during charging.
Verdict: Best-in-class charging + solid endurance
10. Audio & Haptics
- Speakers: Dual stereo with decent bass & clarity
- Audio Format: Hi-Res Audio certified
- Headphone Jack:
- Bluetooth Codecs: aptX HD, LDAC supported
- Vibration Motor: Z-axis — responsive and sharp
Loud enough for Netflix or BGMI
No headphone jack, but wireless audio is excellent
11. Connectivity & Network
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 5G Bands (India) | N1, N3, N5, N8, N28, N40, N77, N78 |
| Carrier Aggregation | Tested on Jio & Airtel |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.3 |
| GPS Accuracy | Fast fix, accurate nav in city & highway |
| VoNR & VoWiFi | Supported |
| SIM Tray | Dual Nano SIM, no microSD |
Stable 5G with consistent signal
No expandable storage — UFS 3.1 helps mitigate
12. Security & Biometrics
- Fingerprint Sensor: Optical under-display, unlocks in 0.2s
- Face Unlock: Fast, works in low-light 7/10 times
- App Lock & Private Space: Available via Funtouch
Fast & reliable biometrics
No advanced face 3D IR scanner (expected for this range)
13. Sensors & Extras
- Accelerometer
- Proximity Sensor (software-based)
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
- Compass
- OTG
- Widevine L1 (Netflix HD playback)
- No FM Radio
- No IR Blaster
14. Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast 120 W charging | No ultrawide camera |
| 120 Hz AMOLED with DCI‑P3 | Plastic frame (if that matters) |
| Great gaming performance | Some pre-installed bloatware |
| Strong battery life | No microSD slot |
| Accurate biometrics | No headphone jack |
15. Competition Check
| Feature | iQOO Neo 7 | Realme GT Neo 3T | OnePlus Nord CE 3 | Galaxy A35 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoC | Dimensity 8200 | Snapdragon 870 | Snapdragon 782G | Exynos 1380 |
| Display | 120 Hz AMOLED | 120 Hz AMOLED | 120 Hz AMOLED | 120 Hz AMOLED |
| Charging | 120 W | 80 W | 80 W | 25 W |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Camera (Main) | 64MP OIS | 64MP no OIS | 50MP OIS | 50MP OIS |
| Price (base) | ₹27,999 | ₹29,999 | ₹26,999 | ₹30,999 |
Best For: Gaming, Charging
Weakness: Camera versatility
16. Who Should Buy / Skip?
Buy if you’re:
- A mobile gamer (BGMI, COD, Genshin)
- A power user needing fast charging
- A fan of AMOLED + high refresh
- Looking for max performance under ₹30K
Skip if you’re:
- A camera-focused buyer (needs ultrawide or flagship optics)
- Wanting a clean UI like Pixel/OnePlus
- Needing expandable storage
17. Final Verdict
Score: 9/10
Verdict:
The iQOO Neo 7 is a performance-centric beast with class-leading charging, smooth display, and gaming features that punch well above its price. Its lack of ultra-wide camera or premium design limits it slightly — but for gamers and power users, it’s a top pick under ₹30,000.
BUY — if you prioritize power, charging, and smooth UI
Consider — if you’re into cameras or expandable storage
Skip — only if you absolutely need clean UI or ultra-wide photography
18. FAQs
Q1. Does iQOO Neo 7 support carrier aggregation?
Yes, it supports 4G+ and 5G carrier aggregation on Jio and Airtel.
Q2. What 5G bands does it support in India?
N1, N3, N5, N8, N28, N40, N77, N78 — including all major 5G bands.
Q3. Will it get Android 15 and 16?
Yes, it’s promised 2 major updates, so Android 15 is guaranteed; Android 16 likely but not confirmed.
Q4. Can it run BGMI at 90 fps?
Not yet — currently capped at 60 fps, but may unlock with future updates.
Q5. Does the box include a charger?
Yes, a 120 W FlashCharge charger is included.
Q6. Is Gorilla Glass protection present?
Yes, the display uses Gorilla Glass 5 for protection.
Q7. Does it have stereo sound?
Yes, stereo speakers are present with good loudness and clarity.
What do you think of the iQOO Neo 7? Would you buy it for gaming or power use? Let us know in the comments below!Tools
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